FORMER Grimsby Town midfielder Darren Wrack has retired from football at the age of 34.

The Cleethorpes-born player, who went on to play for his beloved Mariners, left his final club, Stafford Rangers, recently and is now looking to pursue a career in scouting.

It brings the curtain down on Wrack's 16-year playing career which began at Derby and included two years at Blundell Park, though he only managed one goal in 14 appearances before a move to Walsall in 1998.

He went on to spend a decade with the Saddlers before a brief stay at Kettering.

Wrack ended up amassing more than 400 Football League appearances.

Now he has called time on his career to focus on his ambition to scout.

And while he's only currently doing that part-time, Wrack is hoping it will become his main occupation.

He told the Express and Star: "I have decided to hang my boots up, it's not something I have done hastily and I have thought a lot about it.

"I am doing a little of scouting that could become a bit more permanent, there's more potential there long-term than playing for Stafford or having another year or so full-time, so I have had to make a decision.

"Not playing anymore is going to be difficult but it's a clean slate for me."